Calculating Child Support

Illinois now uses the income shares model to determine child support. Income shares uses a formula that takes into account both parents’ incomes, the number of children in the family and parenting time with the child/ren. Child support set by incomes shares is based on the typical cost of raising a child or children in a family with the same combined income and same number of children. The amount families spend raising their child/ren was determined by an independent statistical study.

Unlike the previous statute, child support is now directly linked to parenting time. While this is great in many ways as it accounts for parties with a more shared parenting schedule  – it can also result in more litigation. Parents used to litigate over who was the primary residential parent (or recipient of child support), now parents litigate over the exact amount of days they have during a year with their children. But with any law, there are always pros and cons.

Parents can get an idea of what child support would amount to by clicking on this link: